Torrance police released sketch of man who tried to coerce a 16-year-old girl walking to school

Torrance police hope a composite sketch released today will flush out the man driving a gray new-model four-door Honda who tried to coerce a 16-year-old girl walking to high school to get in his car.

TORRANCE, Calif. — Torrance police hope a composite sketch released today will flush out the man driving a gray new-model four-door Honda who tried to coerce a 16-year-old girl walking to high school to get in his car.

The girl was standing on the northwest corner of Artesia and Crenshaw boulevards about 7 a.m. Wednesday when the man drove up and stopped, authorities said. He allegedly ordered the girl to get in his car.

The girl continued walking south on Crenshaw, but the man made a U-turn on Crenshaw and headed back toward her, according to Police Chief John Neu.

As the girl approached 177th Street, the suspect made a left turn onto 177th, stopped in the crosswalk to block her path and again ordered her to get in his car, police said.

Police said the suspect also offered to pay the girl to get in the car. At some point, the suspect drove away and the girl reported the encounter to authorities.

The suspect is White, in his late 30s, with straight brown hair and brown eyes. He has moles on his cheek with a chapped and cracked mouth and bitten nails. The man wore a gray and white striped beanie, a green sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call (310) 328-3456.